PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Circuit Court conducts Child Safety Seat Check at Apostolic Church of God

Released On 09/28/2002

Cook County Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced that the Circuit Court of Cook County's Community Safety Initiative hosted a Child Safety Seat Check today at the Apostolic Church of God, located at 6320 S. Dorchester in Chicago's Woodlawn community.

The Child Safety Seat Check was held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and used a three point approach. First inspectors verified children were properly restrained in the correct type of seat. Second, inspectors checked that safety seats were properly installed and were not on the list of recalled products. Finally, anyone whose safety seat was recalled or defective received a replacement safety seat free of charge.

"Even though most parents and caregivers understand the importance of child passenger safety, traffic crashes continue to be the number one cause of death and injury for children after the first year of life," said Chief Judge Evans. "In seeking ways to reduce injuries and save lives, the judges of the Circuit Court are asking church and community leaders and the Chicago Police Department to emphasize the importance of the proper use of child safety seats every time children are in a motor vehicle."

Guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommend children be restrained in safety seats appropriate for their age and weight. Unrestrained children are three times more likely to be injured than those who are restrained. Two to five year olds who are placed in adult seat belts rather than child safety seats or booster seats are three and a half times more likely to be significantly injured in a crash and four times more likely to receive a significant head injury.

The Community Safety Initiative is a judge-led effort which for the past six years has conducted numerous activities to improve traffic safety and save lives. It receives funding through a grant by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administered through IDOT.